Advent....

I was raised in a deep south CoC (Church of Christ) environment.  I was taught to go to church, love God and Jesus, study my bible and sing from the depth of my soul (without instruments).  For these things I will always be eternally grateful, although I disagree with that whole "without instruments" part.  I prefer singing without instruments, but certainly don't think you are wrong to praise God with a musical instrument. (Sorry for that little rabbit trail moment) The seed of Jesus was planted in my heart from a very young age.  Thank you Momma and Daddy. 

Along with all the wonderful things I was taught came some things that didn't make sense to me.  I was always told that we didn't celebrate the birth of Christ in December (not by my parents) because we didn't really know when Christ was born. (Insert confused child here) I was told this by the same people (again, not my parents) who proudly displayed ghosts, devils, zombies and witches in their yard for most, if not all of the month of October.   Somehow it was ok to celebrate the most grisly details of death, witchcraft and paganism, but we should NOT celebrate the birth of a Savior in December. 

Weird.O.  

I know they believed and still believe deeply in what they were saying, but with all due respect, it made no sense to me logically or spiritually then or now.  They said things like "We should celebrate the death, burial and resurrection everyday" except apparently during December and close to Easter.  As a teen, I specifically remember a man praying before we were dismissed to class one Wednesday night in December.  During his prayer he praised God for the birth of Jesus and the fact that the whole world stopped and acknowledged his birth during this special time of year.  I also remember that church leadership scolded him after that.  Seriously, I'm not making this up.  The best I can figure is that since these are considered man-made dates, you can't celebrate Jesus during that time.  Or that you just can't say that Jesus was born on this day.  Ok, so Jesus wasn't born on December 25th.  I get that.  It could have been July 16th?  Ok. Big whoop. It's just a day.  But EVERY DAY is a day to celebrate Jesus.  

EVEN December 25th. 

The thing that confused me the most was that they still celebrated the holidays, but just didn't want to mention Jesus.  Bunnies, eggs, Santa, flying reindeer, etc., all the "pagan" parts of the celebrations were intact, but they just left out Jesus. How bizarre is that?  Now I admit that this is just one girl's opinion, but I've rattled all this around in my head and heart for 46 years now and it still makes no sense to me.  I simply don't want to leave out Jesus on any day, even December 25th. 

My mother led me by example and taught a class. I grew up to be a bible teacher as well (thanks mom). One year when I was small, I remember my mother suggested that they use Barbies to build a nativity scene in class. If you know me well you know I thought that was a grand idea.  I'm all about a Barbie doll.  In fact I used 2 Ken dolls and a bottle of red nail polish to illustrate leprosy while teaching a 4 and 5 year old class.  I dotted one up with red polish and left the other alone.  Ken had leprosy (the one with the red dots) and then slipped him down under the blue wash cloth (aka water) and BAMM he was healed (the one without dots).  It made an impact on the kids.  Their eyes got big and there were lots of oooo's and ahhhhh's.  But I digress.  Back to the Nativity scene....My mother's idea was quickly squashed because "We don't celebrate Christmas as Christ's birth."  I remember her being irritated.  Seems I got more than my baby blues from my Momma.  

The whole Celtic Christianity mentality is about wrapping our spiritual nature around every day activities and thoughts.  I talked about that in a previous post.  My prayer journey has led me to a point in life where I want to surround myself with Jesus.  I want to be in a state of "praying without ceasing" and cover all my activities in prayer.  I do not always accomplish this.  I slip up, mess up and fail Him.  But I'm doing better. I'm growing and that is what He looks at.  

All that was to say, I am still a member of the CoC but I'm all about weaving Jesus into any month of the year and any day of the week, even a random Tuesday.  I'm thankful that the world acknowledges His birth in December, but saddened that they don't acknowledge His divine power. 

Sometimes I fully understand the wise Pooh Bear who once said, "It's a long story and even longer when I tell it."  Sorry for the long explanation, but I hope it helped explain the journey to where I am.

So about Advent...yep....I like it. I do it. I embrace it. 

Why?  Because it makes me focus on two things: Jesus and waiting.  These are two topics I need to focus on.  I'm not good at waiting, although God has beat me over the head so  much about this topic lately that I'm making baby step sized progress.  And I need to ALWAYS focus on Jesus, anytime.  

Advent is considered a period of  preparation and waiting before Christmas.  It reminds me to slow down, consider Jesus and contemplate what His coming actually means to me.  The word advent actually comes from the Latin word "adventus" which means arrival or coming, particularly of something of importance.  

In western Christianity, Advent begins on the 4th Sunday prior to Christmas.  In eastern Christianity it begins earlier in November...whatever...a date is a date.  It's the purpose that means something not the date.  You could actually do these things on 4 random Sundays between say July and August if you wanted.  (I know...mind.blown) 

For many Christians (including me) the season of Advent is about thanking God for the gift of His Son, the gift of His Holy Spirit that lives in us and the anticipation of His second coming. Yippee Yahoo.  I mean seriously, for the love, can anything be better!?  As far as I'm concerned the skies can crack open today with the trumpet sounding.  I'm ready for the eternal party!  (Insert 30 second praise dance) Remember I STILL love to play with Barbies-I'm a 5 year old trapped in a 46 year old body.

Each church and each person who embraces Advent celebrates in a different way it seems.  So I'll skip telling you all the things other folks do it and tell you what this girl's plans are for this year.  

We've done different things in the past as a family. We've made wreaths that told the story of Jesus, we've had candles, we've played with nativity scenes, we've drawn pictures...whatever it took to make my boys understand that "Jesus is special and He deserves our praise no matter what the day or month". 

This year I bought a lovely, but simple votive candelabra with 5 candle cups on it.  "Typically" when using candles to celebrate Advent, there are 5 candles involved:  3 purple, 1 pink and 1 white.  

According to tradition, Advent begins this year on Sunday, December 2. During your meditation time, think on the prophecy of the coming of Jesus.  Meditate on scriptures such as Isaiah 7:14, 9:2-7, chapter 53, 61:1-4.  Light one of the purple candles and think on these things.  Spend time in quiet prayer asking God to reveal more you to about these scriptures. The candle isn't magical, but it does help you focus.  And focus in the point here isn't it?  Focus on the beautiful message of Jesus, not just for information but for transformation.  

The second Sunday of Advent this year is Sunday, December 9th.  Light one of the purple candles along with the one you lit last week.  This second purple candle represents love or in some traditions this second purple candle represents the manager.  So as you light this second candle, focus on scriptures that lead your mind to dwell deeply on God's love and the precious, simple manager that our King rested in.  

The 3rd Sunday of Advent this year is Sunday, December 16th.  Light the first two purple candles you have already lit and then light the pink candle.  This candle represents joy and the shepherds who were the first to hear of His arrival.  Dwell on scriptures that remind you of the joy you find in Jesus and remember the story of the shepherds.  

The 4th Sunday of Advent of this year is Sunday, December 23rd.  Light the first two purple candles you have lit in previous weeks and also the pink candle.   Now light the last purple candle.  This one represents peace and the angels who announced Jesus birth.  Dwell in scriptures that focus on peace and remind yourself of the story that retells the beauty of the angels announcing His birth.  

On Christmas Eve, light all the candles plus the white candle.  This candle represents the purity of the Christ child who came to save us from our sins.  Meditate on the whole "Christmas" story.  Praise God for giving us this sacrificial gift.  Dwell deeply in scriptures that will help you focus on HIS gift.  Celebrate Jesus!   

Do I think people who don't embrace the Advent remembrances are wrong?  No, not at all.  Could you be missing out on something amazing?  Yes.  I am at a point in my life when I will do all I can to help me focus on God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.   

I'll even embrace Advent.   





 

Being Lonely and Galway City....

It's a Sunday morning. I'm home while my family is at church. It's Thanksgiving weekend and I've been cooped up in my house for days with strep throat.  I've not been able to attend any of the lovely Thanksgiving celebrations that have been going on in our family.  Honestly, I have been lonely.  It's hard not to be lonely when your family is off celebrating and you are in bed with a fever.  But, I wouldn't have wanted them to miss out on the love too.  Sigh....So I'm thankful they went on with the celebrations.  That still doesn't change the fact that it's lonely being left behind. It's one thing to choose to be alone (which I do quite often) and quite another to be left behind.

This morning while they are at church and I'm at home, I've been doing a wee bit of Internet surfing.  I'm lonely for Ireland and Scotland.  When I'm sick I find myself being melancholy for the Celtic lands.  Why? I'm not sure, but it happens just like clockwork every time I'm sick.  I feel that deep pull for the  homelands of my heart and soul.  For me that's Ireland and Scotland. There appears to be a large invisible string attached to my heart on one end and the Celtic lands on the other.  Sometimes the pull is greater than others.  When I'm lonely, sad or sick the pull is very, very strong.  

Our family went to Ireland in 2010, all four of us, my husband and my two sons.  Our last big adventure as a family of four living together in the same household.  My oldest son was a senior in high school at the time, so this trip was important.  We left on the heels of my father-in-law's passing.  In a few months, my oldest moved away to college.  It was a pivotal point in our family's history.

One of our favorite places was Galway City.  It's so Irish in feel, music, color, culture....I have brilliant memories of Galway.  We spent St. Patrick's Day there.  Lots of walking, talking, laughing, shopping and absorbing.  No loneliness there.  Just watching the video below, which is filmed in Galway City Center, my mind is transported back and I feel the air and smell the smells.  A lovely day of Irish madness, surrounded by the people I love the most in this whole wide world.  What is better than that?  Nothing, quite frankly.   

I saw this video a few months ago and it made an impact on me.  But today in my melancholy mood, it has made a deeper impact seeing it for the second time. 
So what is my life's biggest regret? I have so many, but I wish I had none. Perhaps then my biggest life's regret is that I have regrets.  What are my individual regrets?  Here are a few. 

1. That we got married so young without exploring the world as individuals first.  I think that would have made us better people. 

2.  That I've not been the mother I've needed to be.  I look back now and see so many mistakes.  I regret those mistakes.  You can never fix a mistake as a mother.  Those mistakes affect your children forever, even if you have said "I'm sorry."  

3.  I regret not listening to my Grandparents more.  I'd love to listen to them now.  

4.  I regret that I didn't answer the calling to prayer at a younger age. 

5.  I regret not listening more. 

What happens when you pray.....

God has led me to a life of prayer.  I had no idea what the impact would be.  Check this out.  

Adam is our youngest son. 

What if....

What if you thought every moment were the last? 

The last time to thank someone.  
The last time to hug someone.  
The last time to say I love you.  
The last time to cook for someone.  
The last time to laugh with someone.  
The last time to go to a movie together.  
The last time to celebrate Thanksgiving.  
The last time to put gas into your car.  
The last time to drive a car.  
The last time to look into the eyes of your children.  
The last opportunity to encourage your children.  
The last time to make love to your spouse.  
The last time to kiss your spouse.  
The last time to feel the sunshine on your face.  
The last time to make your child's favorite meal.  
The last time to ask for someone's forgiveness.  
The last time to forgive. 
The last time to tell your children how proud you are of them.
The last time to tell your parents thank you.
The last time to make macaroni and cheese. 
The last time to sing with your church family.
The last time to  go to church.
The last time to pray.
The last time to smile at someone just to make them smile back....

What if? 

Would you do things differently?  

Would you breathe in the moment a little deeper?

Would you take the time, even if your body didn't feel like it?

Would you choose to not care? 


What if?

"The Lord's Prayer"

As I have been studying the Benedictine prayer life, I'm finding that I pray "The Lord's Prayer" multiple times a day.  I am awed by the fact that these brief words are not just an exercise in prayer, but actually came out of the Savior's mouth as He taught his followers how to pray.  When I pray "The Lord's Prayer" I'm speaking the words of my Savior.  That just awes me. 

Now I have a confession to make.  When I pray "The Lord's Prayer" I don't say the words.  I sing them. I know that's a little weird.   But music is the method to which I remember things the best.  I still sing the books of the bible song when I'm looking for a book in the bible.  When I think of the wee little man Zaccheus, I sing that song too.  

Music is how my mind remembers best.  So when I pray "The Lord's Prayer" at different times throughout my day, I sing.  Sometimes I sing out loud and sometimes just silently inside my head.  Although I do not sound like Charlotte Church, the Lord hears my prayer anyway. 

Do you find yourself getting bored with your prayer life?  Does it seem flat?   Try spending the entire day repeating "The Lord's Prayer".  Sing it.  Speak it.  Listen to it.  Just do it.  And often.  But always let the words penetrate your heart, your mind and your soul. Live it. 

Forever.  Amen.

Special evening of prayer...

I knew last night would be a wonderful time of prayer.  I went expecting Jesus and as always He was there.  The quiet, still atmosphere was divine.  The candle flickering reminded me of God's light.  The quiet people dotted around the pews, all lifting their unified voices asking for God's help was a gift beyond description.  It was majestic indeed.

John and I fasted from solid food all day as we prayed.  That went really well, in fact m uch easier than I expected.  It helped that we were together and moving toward a common goal.  When we each felt tempted, we helped each other along.  That's the way God intended isn't it?  

My night was topped of with special blessing when my sweet precious friend Tricia drove from Georgia straight to the church to join the prayer.  While I was praying,  John gave me a gentle tap on the shoulder and I raised my eyes to see Tricia.  What a wonderful surprise and blessing!  Just when you think God can't fill your heart any more, a friend walks in. 

We got to talk about old times, fun times....and sadly.....times of sickness.  It's terrible that it's generally the worst times of life that bring our hearts together at the throne of God.  But I can't imagine going through things like this without friends and family.  I do so love you Tricia.  

To those of you who prayed, thank you is not enough.  But that's all I have....Thank you.  Whether you spent time in our church building or prayed outside the building in your busy lives...Thank you.  

I wish I had more words I could say that would convey my gratitude.  Until those words come, I offer another "Thank you" and "Praise God".   

24 hours of prayer

Cole, Ronnie, Angie and Austin

Pictured above is my bestie and her group of dudes. That's what I've always called my group of men "The dudes".  It's funny, Angie's nickname from her daddy  has always been "Dude".  I took this image just last weekend.  This is likely my favorite image of all time and I've been a photographer for 12 years.  At the end of the photo session, I called out "Group Hug" and this is what I captured.  I love that in the midst of sickness there is joy.  I love that in the midst of questions there is security.  And in the midst of life, there is love, deep abiding love.  I love this family more than I can ever express with words.  They are my family.

Today our church is holding a 24 hour prayer vigil for her healing.  Our church and the church where her first cousin ministers are joining prayer forces to ask God to heal her.  Please join us.  The church was opened at 5am this morning and will remain open until 5am tomorrow morning.  You are welcome to stop by and pray.  Or of course pray from wherever you are.  Link here for directions to the building.

If you choose to fast along with praying, I have asked our God to bless your time of fasting.  

May today bring you much peace and joy.

Music and Moods

I've edited pictures today while listening to the most wonderful Celtic Christmas music.  It's an amazement to me how the day goes so fast and without the stresses experienced on most days when you lose yourself in your work and listen to spiritual music. God is indeed very good.

Back to my friend story....

She's going to beat me in the head when she discovers I'm writing about our life together.  But as I've told her many times, "I'm not afraid of you."  Many people are intimidated by her.  She has a very competitive spirit and is going to get things done no matter what.  Sit by her at a ballgame and you'll see a new side of her :)  She scared our friend Amy to death when Amy saw her in "ballgame mode" for the first time. She is a teacher and that "teacher voice" comes out sometimes.  Scares some people, but not me. 

Back to my story....so Angie got married first.  I remember the 4 of us (Angie, Tricia, Manda and me) in the restroom helping Angie get ready.  Lots of giggles and tears.  I sang at the wedding.  Well, at least people tell me I did.  I have no memory of it whatsoever.  I was so overwhelmed with emotion, I walked through it like a Zombie. Truly have no idea what I sang.  I don't remember the reception.  I just remember them leaving the church.  Isn't that crazy?  I worried about her as she left the church.  We were entering into new territory as adults.  That's some scary stuff. 

We were all still in college.  It was a chaotic time in our lives.  We had lots of "get togethers" at Angie and Ronnie's first house since they were the first official folks with a house.  I think we started the annual "Ronnie and Angie" Christmas party that first  year.  Angie loves Christmas, as do I, and we both share a love for Christmas ornaments.  We both started out with one tree,long,long ago and years later we both enjoy multiple trees to display our very large Christmas ornament collections.  On  more than one Christmas we have given each other the exact same Christmas ornament as a gift.  Some kind of weird mind meld we have going on here. 

The second of our group to marry was MWAH!  Yes after dating John for 3 years, we tied the knot.  Angie was a bridesmaid in my wedding. One of the most vivid memories I have of my wedding day  is my mother trying to help me put on my veil.  She was nervous and so was I.  As she was pinning the veil on my head, she jabbed a bobby pin into my scalp.  I started bleeding and was scared to death I'd get blood on my gown!  Angie walked over and said "Here Wanda, let me help."  She dabbed my scalp and then carefully pinned my veil on.  If you know Angie, you know that is a perfect story to describe how she maneuvers.  Slips in, takes charge, gets it done.

The first guests we had over at our house was (SHOCK!) Angie, Ronnie, Manda and Tricia.  Amazing huh?  We had dinner and played spoons on our glass top kitchen table.  Brains apparently didn't come with age in our cases.  I have pictures of that night somewhere in a box.  I'll have to get the out. 

We've always enjoyed shopping together because we have the same shopping style. Go in, get it, get out.  We both prefer to shop alone, but if we are going to shop, we do pretty well together.  We don't have to stay together in a store.  We go do our thing and get out.  Works perfectly.

I guess that's one of the things that has made this relationship  last for so long.  We've always given each other the space we need to be ourselves. I've never been jealous of her other relationships, nor she mine.  We have friends we share and we each have our own separate friends. We both give each other room to be.  I've seen so many friendships over the years where they almost smother each other.  That's not us.  I'm so thankful. 

Up next....Angie and Kelley have babies....at the same time! 

Our Destination and Our Path

God is both our destination and our path, and God is both our companion and our guide. Celtic spirituality affirms the truth of both, and encourages us to remember that there is no place, no time, where God is not present. God will be with us at the beginning, and will also greet us at the end of our journey. God is our Call and our way Home!  -Mary C. Earle

The picture is me on the north shore of Iona, a wee island off the coast of Scotland.  More on that blessed place later.  

 

Friendships that endure...

Today my best friend is getting yet another new chemo treatment to try and rid her body of the beast named Sacroma Ovarian Cancer.  As I'm praying for her, thanking God for her and begging him for a miracle, I've been thinking back over our friendship.  It's a long one.  One that takes time, effort and a lifetime of experience to nurture.  One that is time tested.

One of the last days of the sixth grade, a piece of paper with the words "To My Best Friend" slipped onto my desk.  It was put there by my friend Angie.  Just thinking about that makes me smile.  

During our junior high years, we went on family vacations with each other. We spent the night together constantly.  We passed hundreds of notes to each other under desks. I stayed with her family while my parents went on some trips.  We'd get up at 5 in the morning to go to her mother's beauty shop that was attached to the house and spend all the time we could fixing our hair before school.  I thought having a beauty shop at your house was the coolest thing ever.  We'd hide under the bed on Saturdays when Granddaddy Black came looking for help working in the garden or doing yard work.  We tried out new make up techniques on each other.  We shopped together.  We dreamed about boys together.  I specifically remember her catching me in the hall on a Monday morning in the 7th grade and whispering in my ear "Have you ever kissed anybody?"  My answer was no.  She giggled and told me all about getting her first kiss on Saturday night.  My first kiss was just a few weeks later.  She was the first one I told. 

Angie hates dogs. I had a little house dog named Heidi when I was growing up.  When Angie would spend the night with me, Heidi took her normal spot in my bed. She'd root Angie all the way over to the wall. We'd lay in bed late into the night whispering secrets to each other until my mother would call out "Angie stop whispering."  She has never been able to whisper well. 

There were 4 of us who were attached at the ear (through the phone) as Tricia's mom would always say.  It was me, Angie, Tricia and Manda.  Manda and Angie played basketball and softball together.  I cheered and Tricia was a majorette.  We chaired clubs together.  We always stayed in the room together on overnight Beta trips. We were the sponsors pets.  Ms. Loggins and Ms.Wunderlich always got their room adjoining ours.  I remember all 4 of us piling into Angie's uncle's little car to travel to Birmingham to watch Tanner play in a state tourney playoff. We always had so much fun.  

I remember Tricia got her driver's license first.  We were allowed to go "up town" with her on a cold February night. The problems started when Tricia parallel parked on the square.  When it came time to go home, she couldn't get herself out of the parking place and the rest of us were of no help. We had to go back inside and talk one of the guys we were flirting with into getting Tricia's car out of the parking place. Sad, but true story. 

When the 4 of us were seniors we were allowed to go to the local community college half a day and return to high school for half a day.  This was the first time this was done at our school.  We thought we were something else!  Now they have dual enrollment classes.  We had a ball going to "college" then eating lunch at each others houses before returning to our life as high school seniors.  Of course none of us had weight issues at that time, so there was a lot of eating of canned ravioli and bags of nacho chips and drinking gallons of Sundrop.

Our families have known each other from waaaaay back.  My mother and her daddy went to school together.  Her Daddy even played on a community league baseball team with my Granddaddy as coach. Her grandparents lived just up the road from me.  Her family became my family and vice versa. 

In high school, AT THE SAME TIME, we actually dated guys who were 5 years older than us (don't judge us) who had the exact same birthday and their mothers shared a room at the hospital when the guys were born.  Is that bizarre or what?  We dated guys as the same time who were 1st cousins.  I KNOW, it's crazy. 

As we got further and further along into high school, Angie wasn't with Tricia, Manda and I on our grand "up town" adventures as much.  She stinkin' always had a steady boyfriend and we....well we did NOT.  Another sad, but true fact.  

After graduation, the 4 of us spent the night together. By that time John and Ronnie were already in the picture. In fact, it was coming home from a night playing cards at Angie's house with her and Ronnie that John asked me to wear his high school ring.  Do kids still even do that anymore?  I asked John and Ronnie a few weeks ago if they ever imagined that they'd be "family" to each other when they married me and Angie.  I think they got a little more than they bargained for. 

We all went to the same local community college for a brief time, then we all parted ways to attend different colleges and pursue different lives.  But we always remained close and in contact. One weekend we all piled into one car to move Manda back to north Alabama from a school in Mobile.  I believe that the stealing of an orange road cone was involved in that little adventure.  Not naming names.....Amanda.

There is a lot I'm leaving out...on purpose...some things are better left unsaid :)   

Angie was the first of our little quad to get married.

More to come.

So what is a church of Christ girl doing with a rosary?

Strange question.  

I was born into and raised "church of Christ. If you click on those words, the link will provide you with a very superficial explanation for what that means.  I actually believe it means different things in different areas of the U.S. and certainly across the globe. 

I was raised in the deep, deep south in the furthermost north/central spot in the state of sweet home Alabama. Here there are many churches of Christ, each with it's own personality and worship style, but all grounded firmly in scripture.  It's a heritage I've grown to love over my older adult years.  As a  younger adult, I hated telling someone I was a member of the "church of Christ" because it brought about conversations that started with statements such as "So you are a part of that church that believes they are the only ones going to heaven" or "You belong to the church of don'ts"  or the saddest of them all "Your church judges everyone." I had no idea how to discuss my faith when I was younger.  Now I feel more secure in what I believe and I don't so much mind people asking questions any more.

I'm sure some of those statements are true at certain churches, but it's not what I believe.  

Growing up "church of Christ" I was taught that the Catholic church has it all wrong.  While I don't agree with some of their teachings, there are some things I believe they practice that we can all learn from. 

As a seeker of a deep prayer life, I started researching and studying everything I could about prayer.  I was led in many directions, some far out and weird, some reserved and traditional.  My search led me to the prayer practices of many religions, including the Benedictine prayer practices, which are Christian, but most often linked to the Catholic church. 

One of the dearest people in the world to me is my cousin Jane.  She grew up Methodist and became Catholic at the time of her marriage.  As I began my prayer journey, I talked with her about it, as I do most things.  We talk religion, politics, kids and whatever else is going on in our lives.  We  support each other.  

After our conversations on my prayer journey,  she and her dear children (my God-children) gave me a beautiful wooden rosary. I wasn't quite sure what to do with it. So I did what I always do. I researched.    

Given my faith background, all that praying to Mary and dead folks seemed weird to me.  Someone once told me that using the rosary was the same as worshiping idols. Well that's just goofy. Given the number of times they say "The Lord's Prayer" and send up praises to our Holy Father in Heaven, it hardly seems pagan! Then someone else told me it was "vain repetition".  I'm completely ok with repeating the Lord's Prayer as many times as I need to so that I can firmly grasp how our Father wants us to pray.  I don't think that is a work in vain at all.  Some people just want to make something out of nothing in my opinion. 

The best I can understand is that the prayer beads or rosary are not really special or magical.  Instead, they offer a technique of focus.  Being the creative type with lots of ideas, questions and random thoughts rolling around in my head, I loved the concept of using the beads for focusing my prayer time. 

One of my most common issues with prayer time has always been losing my focus, rambling and in general just talking AT God, not TO Him.  There is a major difference there. 

So with my brand new wooden prayer beads in hand, I started to focus my prayer time.  I read a lot of articles, Catholic and Protestant. They all had points that resonated with  me.  But still, I didn't feel completely comfortable with any of them.  So being the creative person that I am, I came up with my own method. 

Here is how I use my prayer beads.

#1 Start at the cross (always a good place).  While holding the cross, I run my fingers all around it.  I feel the shape of it.  I think on the magnitude of the sacrifice that was made for me.  ME, a lowly sinner who doesn't even know how to pray most of the time without rambling.  Yes, even for me He died.  I stay here "at the cross" for as long as I need to.  

#2 At the next bead of medium size, I repeat the beautiful "Lord's Prayer" 

#3 Next up are 3 little beads.  Here I repeat what is commonly known as "The Jesus Prayer".   "Jesus Christ, son of God have mercy on  me a sinner."  I say that slowly while holding each of the 3 small beads.  If you speak this slowly and truly absorb the meaning of these words, you will be brought to your knees and changed.   

#4.  At the next medium sized bead, I pray "The Lord's Prayer" again.  

#5.  We are at the largest of the beads on the strand.  Here I pray what is called the "Glory be" prayer.  "Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.  As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen."  

#6.  Next are 10 little beads, referred to as a decade.  While moving along this first decade of beads, I spend time praising God for who He is!   I stay there as long as I need to.  

#7 I repeat the Lord's Prayer again at the next medium sized bead. 

#8  At the next decade of beads, I spend time in gratitude thanking God for all He has given me.   Again, staying there as long as I need.  
 #9 I repeat the Lord's Prayer again at the next medium sized bead.  

#10 Forgiveness.  During this decade of beads, I spend time trying to call to mind people and situations where I need to ask forgiveness from people and from God.  This can be a hard place to stay, but I stay long enough to truly reflect on who needs to hear "I'm sorry" from me.  

#11 Repeat the Lord's Prayer again at the medium sized bead.

#12 Forgiveness.  During this decade of  beads, I spend time trying to call to mind people and situations where I need to extend forgiveness.  Perhaps it's from an old emotional wound.  Maybe it's something more recent.  I reflect on the fact that Jesus forgives me as I forgive others.  Maybe they haven't asked for my forgiveness yet or ever will.  Still I must forgive.  

#13 Repeat the Lord's Prayer at this medium sized bead. 

#14 Intercessions.  At this last decade of beads, I lift up all those who have requested I pray for them and also those who just pop into my mind.  

#15 I repeat the "Glory be" prayer at the large bead again.  "Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.  As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. 

#16 At the medium sized bead I pray the Lord's Prayer again.

#17 At this short trio of beads I pray the Jesus prayer 3 times.  "Jesus Christ Son of God, Have mercy on me a sinner."  

#18  At this medium sized bead, I repeat the Lord's Prayer one last time. 

#19 I end where I began, holding onto the cross and meditating on the sacrifice that was made for me.  

So there you have it.  The Kelley version of praying with prayer beads/Rosary beads.  

Am I suggesting that everyone needs a set of rosary beads?  No. But if you have trouble focusing during prayer, you might just give it a try.  It's simply a tool. Once you have your own version memorized, you can do it with your eyes closed while running your fingers along the strand to help keep you going.  And perhaps one day we won't even need the beads. 

Do I think there is magic in the beads?  Absolutely not, but I do believe there is something wonderful that happens inside me when I pray with this much focus.  

                This is a picture of my rosary with all the prayer 

prompts that I use.